While there is nothing but a sign indicating where the new Sparta Recreation Park will be built, lots of work is being done behind the scenes to get work under way.
By Jeffrey Cunningham

By all outward appearances, it looks like the Sparta Recreation Authority has done little to move the proposed Sparta Recreation Park ahead after voters turned down a request for a construction and operational millage last November.

In reality, there has been a great deal of work going on behind the scenes to help get construction on the park started, perhaps as early as this summer, according to Sparta Township Supervisor Dale Bergman. "There was a lot of paperwork to do before we could even think of starting construction," he said."The first thing was to reach a lease agreement between Sparta Township and the Sparta Recreation Authority. We believe that lease agreement is ready to be signed."

Residents will have a chance to see just how far the planning process for the recreation park has come at 7 p.m., April 11, at the Sparta Township Hall, 160 E. Division St. At that time, the Township Board will discuss the terms of the lease agreement with the Sparta Recreation Authority and is expected to discuss the engineering, design, and fundraising process for the new park. The park will house all of the township and village's youth recreational fields as well as provide fitness opportunities for adults in the area.

Last October, Sparta Township purchased 90 acres from Doug Ostman for $340,000 so that the Sparta Recreation Authority would have land for the new recreation park should voters approve a 1-mill levy that would have paid to construct and maintain the first phase of the park.

At the time the township purchased the 90 acres, it was unclear who would actually operate the park when it was built. "This agreement, as proposed, is for 99 years with the terms of the lease being $1 to be paid annually by the Sparta Recreation Authority," Bergman said. Other details as to what will happen should the authority not be able to raise the money within six years to construct the park or what would happen if the Recreation Authority were to go broke is also in the agreement.

The Sparta Recreation Authority was formed last fall to raise funds to construct and manage the park. It is made up of members from the village and township boards as well as several members of the public. While the township will retain ownership of the property, it has always been the township's goal not to be involved in running the new park, township officials have said.

The Sparta Downtown Development Authority has donated $50,000 in seed money for the project, money which will be used to pay for engineering and design plans for the new park. "The new park is very important to the downtown merchants," said DDA director Elizabeth Morse. "When the recreation park is completed, there will be paths that connect it to Rogers Park just across the street and the trails in Rogers Park already connect to downtown. This will have a huge impact on the village so this investment is well worth it."

The total price of the new park is projected to be more than $3 million. Once the Recreation Authority has the property leased and the plans finished, Bergman said he expects fundraising to move along quickly. "I think this is a nice community project for the people because it is bringing together so many groups," he said.